thée and to passe the bridge if it be in my power with that word he tooke him such a rap with his sword that he started the fire from his eies vnder his helmet but the knight was quit with him presently for he payd Belcarin two for one so well set on with his club wherewith he fought that he taught him the way where he might goe fet the like â—s often as he would Neuerthelesse by his dexterity and skil in managing his armes hée did beat by afterwards almost all the rest of his blowes and did reach his enemie some sound knocks very often In this maner continued they about thrée houres hacking and hewing one another till Lipes who commended Belcarin greatly and mucâ— more then he did before spake aloud a word of courage that hée had neuer in his life séene knight who quitted himselfe so well kéeping his weapons in his hand These words did so animate and prouoke the courage of Belcarin that perceiuing the knight of the bridge somewhat wearie he would haue done that which he heard say Linedes did but the guard which stood a little on the left hand lent him such a villanous polte which hit him on the shoulder that Belcarin was faine to kisse the ground with one knée Then did the dwarfe sound his horne so swéetely that al Those which heard it were verie ioyfull and pleased except the Prince who felt a great â—eaâ—e and aâ—â—king in his heart neuerthelesse as a man notâ—ing but heart and valour he dissembled it The knight thâ—n râ—stoâ—â—d to his former force by the sound of the horne 〈◊〉 the assault more â—uriouslie than hée did at first in the which Belcarin behaued himselfe alwayes so brauely that he helde him shrewde tugge and one thing comforted him aboue all other it was that none of all the blowes that his enemie lighted vpon him had giuen him a bléeding wound but did onlie bruise the flesh vnder his armour and therefore could hée fight verie well at his ease Thrise blewe the watch which was aboue at the sentinell his horne to fortifie his champion to the battell which continued so long that in the end Belcarin felt himselfe a little wearied by reason he had not rested himselfe all that day Neuerthelesse hée imagined with himselfe that shewing no other valour then that which he vsed in this skirmish in vaine had hée taken so great paine to come thither which hée would haue counted a great shame if the Emperour had béene aduertised thereof Being in this imagination his stomacke began to encrease in him maruellously wherefore he gathered néere his enemie thinking to lay him along on the ground but the knight of the bridge was too warie for him to be taken at that disaduauntage for stepping a little aside he deliuered him so sound a blowe on his crest that he cleft it in two péeces When Belcarin saw himselfe in this daunger hée threw with a mightie violence the two péeces at his aduersarie and by great chaunce hit him so full ouer the shinnes that the knight fell backeward and turned round twice or thrice in the place Then the Prince séeing that hee might easilie get the bridge without resistance of any ranne verie swiâ—tlie to the middest Turret the gates whereof closed at the instant with so great impetuositie that hee sell from his height downe to the ground all amazed and without any féeling at all Now Lâ—peâ— who was verie glad to sée him runne along the bridge chaunged his ioy into sadnesse when he perceyued him halfe dead neuerthelesse lifting him vp betwéene his armes with the helpe of his two Squires carried him presently vpon his bed where disarming him straight and sprinckling Uinegar and cold water on his face they vsed so good remedies that he came quickly to himselfe againe But he had no sooner recouered his spirits when he began to lament in straunge manner as well for his misfortune and disgrace as for the murthering blowes which his enemie had giuen him whereof bore witnesse his armour thrust thorow and pierced in manie places While he thus complained and lamented so grieuously Lipes begun in most courteous manner to comfort him againe Sir quoth he bée of good cheare take a good heart to passe ouer and let slip this anguish of minde assuring your selfe without doubt that it is more than eight yéeres since euer Knight came into this Isle onelie Linedes excepted who hath woonne so great honour as you haue done now so that you haue farre greater cause to reioyce than to complaine as you doe Alas my brother answered Belcarin a sorrowfull man may I be who haue not atchiued my purpose pretended but séeing I sée none other remedie I must take in patience the disaster that hath so shamefully put me to this foyle For of things so diuelishly enchaunted neuer succéedeth any good Accursed be the Fairies with all their infernall charmes and sorceries which make poore wandering Knights suffer so many mischiefs and diseases for their pleasures CHAP. IIII. How Belcarin resolued to fight with all those who came to make assay in the aduenture of Celestina and how amongst others he made front against the marques of Trosse whom he ouercame and afterward against Tiraquel to whom he discouered himselfe LIpes tooke great paines to cause the knight Belcarin to be attended with all diligence whilest he kept his bed who in y e meane time was proiecting a thousand new fantasticall discourses in his mind Sometimes imagining with him selfe that hauing not effected this aduenture he must performe so rare and admirable matters of chiualrie therby to amend and couer this shame For this cause he purposed to make stay long time in this place to combat all those who should come thither to make their trials in the aduenture with resolutioÌ„ that the braue feats of arms which he should exploit there wheresoeuer else he should employ himselfe abrode should be for loue of Alderine the duke of Pontus daughter whoÌ„ from that time forward he purposed to loue aboue all other in the world and if peraduenture he were vanquished by any knight he determined to go incoÌ„tinent vnto king Florendos court This desseigne discouered he to Lipes who maruelled much thereat and told him that this was no small thing that he did vndertake because there were woont continually to arriue good knights from all parts neuertheles knowing him before verie resolute in his deliberations he procéeded with him in this sort Séeing you are fully resolued thus to doe I will not forsake you but to sée your prowesse and great chiualrie which I am most certaine resteth vnder the dexteritie of your person I offer my self frankely to do you seruice with my loyall companie Commanded moreouer incoÌ„tinent for their greater expeditioÌ„ that they should bring him froÌ„ his house horses and armeâ— â—s well offensiue as defensiue brieflie all manner 〈…〉 which were necessarie for so long a time of 〈…〉 as they hoped to spend in this
giant and his son was slaine there was all as many as they could finde within the prisons of the castell their sorrow was turned into an vnspeakeabe ioy Moreouer the Prince commaunded to be brought before him the armes of all the knights to the ende euery man might recognish his owne to arme themselues quickely therewith who then perceiuing this man should set them frée from so miserable slauerie fell downe all at his féet to thanke him euery one praying his God to guerdon him for so great a benefite as hée did tâ— them all But amongst the rest there were two yong men very proper and well fauoured for they were but arriued in that place not long before who shewed by their Physiognomie to be descended ofsome illustrious and heroicall race both of them said they were Moores the one was Rifaran son to Trineus Emperour of Almaigne and of the Infant Aurencida the other Lechefin son of the Soldan of Persia the youngest of the thrée which the Princesse Zephira had by him These yong gentlemen were both two brought vp together by the Soldan because he knowing the doâ—ilitie and good inclination of Rifaran did hope to sée him one day a valiant knight Therefore being both the son ofhis sister and of the Emperour Trineus his great freind hée loued him as if he had ben his owne child This Rifaran béeing come to the age of ten or twelue yéeres became so studious of all vertuous actions that vpon a time talking with his mother he praied her to shew him plainely the cause why she was alwaies lockt vp and clothed in mourning wéeds whereof she made him the whole discourse deciphring in few words vnto him his genealogie assuring him the prince Trineus Emperour of Almaine was his father When Rifaran vnderstood he was sonne of one of the principall houses in Christendome he began to make better estéeme of himselfe and to shew himselfe in all things more sumptuous then before so that being come to the age fit to receiue knighthood he besought the Soldan he would honour him therewith who gaue him willingly the acolladoe and for the same occâ—sion was there made a great and magnificent feast in the which he alwaies won the honour and price of many Iusts that were held there Afterwards he left the court life and continuing militarie profession he did so great and maruellous actes in armes that he was much renowned and hath his neuer dying praise spread thorow all the Marches and Prouinces of Persia whereof the Soldan was so glad that he sought many times to marrie him with the only daughter of king Maulerin But he would neuer heare on that eare for he had concluded in his mind first to goe visit the Emperour Trineus his father the which Aurencida his mother who died not long afterward did of all loues persuade him to to the end the emperour séeing the fruit of his loues by the obiect of his person might know they were not vaine in the time they were acquainted together Wherevnto agréed most willingly Râ—faran and after he had finished the obsequies and funerall pompes in such sort as the greatnesse of so high a princesse did require it for he would neuer breake her coÌ„mandement he demaunded license of the Soldan to passe to Constantinople there to sée the court of the Emperour Cleodomyr from thence to take his iourny to that of his father in Almaine The Soldan gaue him license albeit sore against his will but yet more against the will of Lechefâ—n who loued Rifaran as his owne soule therefore besought he most humblie his father to let him goe with him for companie for by this meane quoth he I shall quickly moue my cosin to returne which pleased wel the Soldan wherefore incontinently he knighted him although he were yet very little and yong in yeares Beside before their departure he bestowed on them goodly presents and Zephira his wife gaue them both letters directed to the two Emperours Cleodomyr and Trineus after wards when they were gone to shipboord with thirtie knights well furnished and equipped with all necessaries for them there aroâ—e a mightie storme at sea which forced them to anker in the goulfe of this Isle of Deâ—phos where being lockt in with the chaine and made fast by the giant being all weatherbeaten they saw no other remedy but to goe on land to refresh themselues there And being freindly entertained by the giant as soon as they were disarmed he caused them immediatly to be both put in prison then going strait to their ship sâ—ue twentie of the knights who came with vs sauing the life of the other ten to sâ—rue them with the same sauce as they had serued their masters whom they made kéepe companie in the prison so sóone as they had pillaged all that was within the ship Then were presented before him all the arms of the knights who had ben taken prisoners in that hauen out of which Rifaran and Lechefin did presently choose out theirs so did in like manner the other ten who remained of thirty that came thither who armed all themselues albeit they were brought very low and féeble thorow the long imprisonment they had endured vnderthe giant CHAP. VIII How Marcomyr establisheth a verie sage knight for gouernour of the isle of Delphos of whom he vnderstood the great danger and difficulty of the aduenture of the temple which hee performeth by slaying the enchaunted wild boare and vanquishing the knight of the horne MArcomyr then causâ—â— the people of the Isle to bée assembled to whom hée made this oration My freindes and brethren I beléeue you are all ioifull to sée your selues frée from the miserable slauerie in the which Baledon did detaine you you shall be content to hold hereafter for your liege Lord the iust and good prince Cleodomyr whom I will intitle vnto this Isle which I haue now conquested by force of armes for you know the giant is alreadie out of this world his wife sonne and daughter are my prisoners and tied here in chaines to that stonepiller before your eies whom I meane to send shortly to the Emperour for a present I pray you in the meane space to liue peaceably vnder the gouernement of this venerable knight Guilladoâ— by name whom I haue for his singular wisedome chosen for ruler amongst you vpon condition hee shall at the Emperours pleasure consigne it ouer into his hands Unspeakeable was the pleasure and content they all receiued to become the Emperours vassals wherefore he caused them all presently to sweare allegeance to him and then to burne openly the bodie of Baledon for the most enorme and cruell aâ—â—es he had committed in his life time To behold which execution came in all the people of the island and also to know the knight Marcomyr vnto whom they brought many presents and gifts who hauing pacified all things in good order purposed now to trie himselfe in the aduenture of the temple but the new gouernour dissuading
in vain for in troth he held a contrarie way to that Marcomyr had taken knowing not what to resolue on whether to returne to the court or to goe on still to séeke his man it chanced he pâ—ssed hard by a fortresse ioining to a little cittie albeit very strong and defensible belonging to the countesse of Iseland a very faire and gratious damsell This countesse was a widdow and had béene but two yeares without her husband who in the end of his daies for that he had no children and loued his wife with a singular affection made her the inheretrix of all his estate and siegnorie whereat was greatly wroth a brother of the earls called Diolas a fierce and hardy knight who as a yonger brother was little the better by succession of his father but for a small farme being al he could pretend for his part and willingly would he haue made warre vpon his sister had he not séene her well beloued of all her vassals By reason whereof he feared to loose his labour and all the time he should employ therein thinking to get more another way caused her daily to be sollicited and aduertised if she did not forsake quickly that possession shée held vniustly surrendring it willingly into his hands he would cast her out by force and violence as he who next after the death of the deceased earle his brother ought by right and reason to inherit The countesse was in a great perplecity through these threatning spéeches yet determined to defend her selfe if he went about to molest her and by good fortune the same day Rifaran came that way when Diolas went the round without the fortresse with fiue other knights well appointed to espie the féeblest part where they might scale and surprise it The countesse thereof aduertised presented her selfe presently vpon the battlements of the wall where leaning ouer the top of a rampire iust at the arriuall of Rifaran she began these pittifull and sorrowful lamentations Alas why will you thus ruine me What hath moned you to be so angrie and furious against a poor damsel a widow to dishonour her to outrage her vassals and best friends who neuer committed against you the least offence which in any thing might exasperate the choller of a maÌ„ were he neuer so malitious or mutinous to take so austere and rigourous vengance as you séeke to offer me I pray you in the fauour and for the deuoire of that honest and vertuous amitie you haue alwaies séene in me towards you you permit me to liue in peace suffering me to enioy without disturbance during my life that little which it pleased him to inuest me with by the ordinance of his last wil I promise to render it you vndoubtedly at the end of my daies for now to depart with it were to me a heartsgriefe vnspeakeable Diolas returned her a thousand villanous spéeches to terrifie her saying she had empoisoned her husband and that he would otherwise haue dispossessed her of all that she did wrongfully possesse by the law of the twelue tables TheÌ„ Rifaran who staid there to heare those alterications betwéene them perceiued well what the cauill meant Wherefore moued with pittie towards the damsell could not containe to reprehend Diolas for his discourtesie in outraging with such vile spéeches the ladie who shewed farre more modestie and wisdome then he counselling him if by her he found himselfe wronged to take his way to the emperor who would minister good iustice to him for his right The explorator was in a rage and ful of indignation hearing Rifaran speake to him in this sort who in great choller cut him of thus You who speake before you be bidden will you take vpon you to maintaine the right of this ladie surely I wil quoth he and albeit I know not the cause whence procéedeth this quarrel yet I vnderstand you offer her violence wherein for as much as I haue taken vpon me the order of knighthood with intention to aid to my power those whom I sée iniuried without cause I cannot nor I ought not to faile but succour her And if herevpon thou wilt enter the combat with me I hope by the helpe of God in whose hand are all victories to make thée repent this villanie offred her I will neuer be accounted knight quoth Diolas if I doe not make thée pay too deare for this thy foolish rashnes and to the end thou maiest be an example to all other presumptuous and witles fooles such as thou art to defie a gentleman whom thou knowst not resolue now to defend thy selfe well for I cannot thinke otherwise but thâ—u art of the faction and one of those who with this disloiall and accursed woman hast murderously slaine my brother Knight you surmise too great a lie quoth Rifaran séeing that I know not this ladie nor haue I euer séene her in my life but now no more then you which I will make good in any forme of combat which you like best Upon condition notwithstanding that for any accident which may befall you none of your complices shal once stir in your behalfe to offend me more then your selfe alone No sooner had he spoke these wordes but he commaunded all his companions to withdraw themselues from the place and that none of them should bée so hardie as to come to his aid whereat the countesse greatly meruelled because she knew not the knight who vndertooke her defence Meane while the two knights who had great desire to grapple encountred with such courage and furie that breaking their lances to their gauntlets they brusht one another so puissantly with their shieldes and bodies that Diolas was dangerously wounded in one of his shoulders and turning bridle incontinently began to hew on another fiercely with their swords all the time of this recharge the countesse who wel knew how valiant a knight her enemie was estéemed in these countries praied God deuoutly for her champion wondering much how without great cause his heart serued him to enter this combat But Rifaran being valerous and a perfect warrior shewed within a little space he would quickly carie away the victorie for he made his fight with meruellous dexterity neuer profered blow but hurt his aduersarie so as in lesse then halfe an hower he tamed him so well that with a stroake which he lighted aloft on the creast of his helmet he made him fal from his horse to the ground Then Rifaran alighted from his and running hastely vpon him cut a two the laces of his helmet and withall his head from his shoulders saying to the countesse who looked on thorow the loopeholes of the platform Madame now are you secure from the vexation which this peasant did worke you so that from henceforth you néed not feare him any more The ladie was much abashed at his suddaine spectacle and much more affraid were Diolas fiue knights who séeing their maister alreadie dead came like mad dogs to charge vpon Rifaran crying to
all ye will be glad in heart to heare me make the discourse therof God graunt it may be so and may he fortunatly direct him in his courses and so well prosper the generous forwardnesse that all men may beholde shining in him that hée maie winne thereby honour and aduauncement such as his heart desireth Surely this act of Belcarin did well please them except Tiraquâ—l who wâ—s greatly offended because he imparteâ— to him no part of his entent for he would glâ—dly haue kepâ— him companie so that he resolued immediatly to put himselfe in quest after him as soone after it fell out In the mean time Belcarin made such expedition in his iournies that without any let by the way he got out oâ— the boâ—ds of the Empire in a small tiâ—e and being entered the frontiers of the kingdome of Macedonie he lodged the first night in an old knights castle who very affable and courteous séeing him passe before his gate because it was alreadie late geÌ„tly desired him to take his rest that night with him which offer he willingly accepted at the instant request of the venerable old father who tooke great pleasure in beholding Belcarin after he had disarmed himself as well for his goodly stature and proportion of members as for his eloquence and affability wherewith he much enriched and graced his language which was occasion that they conferred long time together and falling from one matter into another in the end the old man discouered that this knight was one of the chiefest fauorites of the Emperour Cleodomyr But the Gentleman had three sonnes very vngratious â—mpes and of a wicked natâ—re who were veâ—y much offended at the courtesie and liberall hospetallitie their father vsed toward strangers wherefore he who knew well their mallice went to méet them in the way homeward for at that present they were hunting abroad to admonish them how they should welcome and entreat this new guest Know my children quoth hee we hâ—ue this night in our house a knight descended of the Emperours house whose physiognomie bewraieth him to come ofsome great and high linage for which cause I pray you do him all the honor you can in the best sort deuise and feasting him with all chéere and gladnesse speake nothing before him which may not beseeme his honourable estate Father answered they we shall doe all your commandements But assoone as he was gone they conspired to assaile this knight on the morrow at the entraunce into a forrestnot farre distant from the castle to proue if he were so braue a man as their fâ—ther had signified vnto them Therefore came not thâ—y to supper as they promised but on the morrow morning betime salied out of the castle all three wel mounted and in armes The honourable and good knight séeing the ingratitude and disobedience of his childeren did his best to do all the honour he could to Belcarin who returning him many thanks the next day departed and tooke his leaue of him to put himselfe againe into his way wherein hee had rode little more then two miles but he met the thrée brethren lying in ambush for him at the side of a wood the eldest hauing his launce vanced vpon his thigh stept before him and thus began to play the champion Faire knight you must ioust with me otherwise you can passe no further for now I will try whether you be so hardie and valiant as your report is or no. Belcarin who doubted a greater ambuscado tooke a lance out of his esquiers hand and speaking very courteously made him this answer Knight ye offer great wrong to assaile thus the Emperours gentlemen perhaps you may quickly find one who will giue you both your hands full and little leisure to repent your hast Trouble not your self therfore replied the eldest brother haue don and prepare your selfe to breake a launce This said they retired from ech other the length of a good carrier then setting spurs to their horses they came to encounter with such a violent â—ury that the assailants staffe flying in shiuers could not stir neuer so little Belcarin out of the saddle who on the other side for that he was strong and puissant hit him so soundly with the first blow oâ—his launce that piercing his shield and armour he ran him more then a foot and halâ—e thorow the body with his sword so that there was no néed to send for a Chirurgion to cure his wound The two other brethren which beheld this piteous spectacle supposing truely their elder brother had his deaths wouÌ„d came in a great rage galloping towards him called to him aloud Ha knight in a curled hour didst thou strike that blow for thou shalt presently receiue thy death So they can boâ—h full at him but the one misâ— his blow and the other lighted vpon his slanke where he made a little wound wherof when Belcarin felt the smart he began to stir himselfe couragiously in his owne defence And albeit these two brethren dâ—d trouble him sore yet the bickering lasâ—ed but a while for this yong prince being very resolute and experâ— in armes did deliuer such a full blow vpon the massard of one of them that hée set him tumbling to the ground to beare his brother companie And to make briefe with his falchion doubled his blowes so thicke against the other that hee was faine to fall from his horse al amased to the earth where he lest them all three thus vanquished and betooke himselfe to his voiâ—ge againe The squier who came with the brethren hauing séene the end of the skirmish rode backe presently towards the castle and finding their father in his chamber certified him of this heauie news Alas sir quoth he man vnlucky houre did you lodge yesternight the strange knight who euen now hath made an end of sâ—aieng your three sonnes Thâ—â— hâ— began to rehearse the whole discourse of the combat whâ—â—e sorâ—â—wfull issue drew vp the fludgates of a stream of tears which distilled froÌ„ the miserable fathers eies who bewailing their so great disaster called them many times fellonious and prowd children His vassals vnderstanding afterward the occasion of his gréeuous lamentation went incontinent to the place where their young lords were discomfited Two wherof they found stone dead and the third in danger of his life if he had not present succour Whom they put into a litter and the other two they laid vpon a Béere couered ouer with dolefull black and so did they conuey them with much sorrow and mourning into the castle where was their wéeping mother powring forth a sea of salt teares wringing her hands with pittifull and lamentable complaints sâ—réeching vp to the heaueÌ„s with continuall yelling and crying that you would haue iudged her rather to haue resembled some senceles thing then a woman in any thing partaking humaine wit and reason The like did her daughter also who after she came againe to her best senses did protest and déepely sweare before
thinke good Wherefore to the end hée know I haue no feare of any such brauadoes if he wil giue me safe conduct of the single combat and assure me I shall not be hurt but by himselfe I will presently come a shore to defie him to the combat CHAP. VII How Marcomyr landed to combat the giant Baledon whom he vanquished and afterward deliuered many knights out of his prisons amongst whom were two young princes Moores who as they were sailing to the Emperours court were by tempest cast a shore in this island FRéely did the Prince of Tarsus speake to the lookers on whilst one of the knights who was before escaped from him hauing heard all his discourse went immediatly to giue the giant notice thereof who being before departed from his pallace marched so furious and full of rage that he made all his familiars and those of his owne house aâ—â—eard Uery glad was he to here the embassage and approching the shore called alowd to Marcomyr Hocaitife knight wilt thou performe as much as thou hast sent me word to come a shore and receiue with a good wil the death thou knowst iustly by thée deserued I will assuredly made answere Marcomyr if thou wilt promise to sauegaâ—â— mée from the inuasion and iniurie of those who are 〈◊〉 thée I assure thée quoth the giant and further by our gods sweare vnto thée to doe whatsoeuer is thy pleasure it fortune be so contrarie that I be vanquished in the fight Marcomyr hearing him say so commaunded that some of them would lanch out a boat vpon the water and he would come a land to him presently wherevnto his marriners made no great hast for feare they had to loose it neuerthelesse séeing him so couragious for little was he affeard of this enorme and monstrous creature not respecting what inequality there was betwéene them two durst not denie him Quickly sailed he out of the ship carrying along with him but only Ozalias his cosin who would neuer forsake him In the meane time Baledon went to attend him in a plaine hard vnder the castell commaunding vpon paine of death all those of his side should not once stirre against his enemie Who be holding but only his countenance and grim lookes trembled like an aspen leafe meruelling this knight had euer the heart to méet him face to face Already the two champions haue drawne their swords lie close vnder their sheildes and begin so drerie a battell smoaking one another that you would haue iudged a hundred smithes had ben a worke beating their yron plates vpon their And-fields But the giant raged because his enemie held him so long resistance therefore he charged him such a blow that if he had not cunningly shrunke aside vnder his target he had ben in danger to haue ended his life there Wherefore the prince féeling himself in this perill his stomacke and courage came to him more by half then it was before and finding himselfe in such a furie as is the wild boare at the bay of the dogs when he is chased into the toiles hit him such a gash vnder his roundache with his full force that peircing his harnesse cleane thorow he cut his flesh to the bone So that afterward hée could not at his ease wéeld his great buckler wherby Marcomyr neuer cast blow afterward in vaine whereat euery one wondered much séeing him holding so long with the giant At length Baledon saw he could not strike his enemie as he would by reason of his admirable dexteritie wherewith he saued himself and beat aside still his blows purposed to come within him to the end he might crush him in péeces with his foule great fiftes so that he put his sword in his yron hangers and then fell loutishly vpon him like a heauie log of wood but Marcomyr holding his point firme against the giants bellie which by chance had lighted in the iointing betwéene two plates thrust it so farre in that Baledon hauing his belliefull waxed pale and chaunged his coulour And although he pulled it out with his hands yet by the aboundance of bloud that he lost by the two woundes which weakened more and more his strength hée could not deale with him as hée desired Which in the end made Marcomyr victorious for hée being strong and lustie stirred so nimbly betwéene Baledons armes tugging and strugling that they fell both two to the ground where the ancient mother of vs all did so much fauour Marcomyr that she receiued the giant first and néerest vnto her being very féeble by chaâ—ing his last wound from which the bloud gushed out asfast as it could bubble But he got as well as he could out of his clutches albeit not without great paine Neuertheles knowing he had now no more power to rise cut a two the strings of his morion and vncased his foule loggerhead saying yéeld Baledâ—n at my mercy cause to be brought hither before me all the prisoners wrongfully detained in thy dungeons or thou shalt die presently with the tranchant of my sword When the giant perceiued himselfe in such dolefull perplexitie and so bad taking to defend himself he murmured these words softly with a heauy chear Ogodshow straÌ„ge and diuers are your iudgements permitting my son and I to be so easily vanquished by one only knight Alas I sée all this proceedeth from the infinitie of offences and vicious acts I haue committed against you done vnto men But séeing by condign reward I lose miraculously my bodie suffer not I beséech you my soule to descend into the infernall lake to remaine there in torâ—â—â—t perpetually And you knight shew me so much fauour for my soules last comfort before it depart out ofthis world that I may once yet sée her whom I haue heretofore loued as my selfe When he had ended these lamentations which none could well vnderstand for death which had alreadie seased vpon part of Baledons carkas caused him to strammer and to alter his spéech he called the people to him commanding they should forthwith bring the knight vp into the castell to consigne into his hands all the prisoners which were in chaines and to obey him in all things as if it were his own person Then went Marcomyr and Ozalias with two or thrée oftheir people towards the pallace where in y e great base court they met with the giants wife who lamented bitterly for the great mischance of her sonne and husband cursing and blaspheming the knight who had plonged her in that goulfe of sorrow and anguish But for all that Marcomyr letted not to goe into a faire hall below where hée commaunded they should bring before him all the prisoners of whom there was great number as well of knights marchants and other traffickers who had a long time remained in this captiuitie And these poore soules came so sad and comfortlesse thinking ere long to be deliuered to torment of death but when they heard say by those who conducted them to Marcomyr that the
streamed incessantly from his wound especially at the chafing and choller of his recharge he waxed instantly so weake and féeble that if the pitie and mercie of God had not succoured him he had ben verily cut off by the hands of this infidell Moore There did the soueraine dominator of this round Machine shew a most miraculous aduenture bringing thether iust at that hower Pernedin the duke of Peraes son one of those who had enterprised the quest of Marcomyr who as soone as he had recognished the two combattants all amazed to sée them two in fight together came betwéene them crying out with a lowd voice Eternall God what meaneth this Haue you thus sworne your owne death knight Then Arnedes who could no longer stand on his legs falling downe on the ground breathed out this complaint Alas Pernedin I beséech thée auenge me of this inhumane Moore who hath without any cause assailed me being before mortally wounded in a combat I lately had against the knight who woon the tourney and this cruel Moore not content to haue set vpon me vniustly hath beside slain the holy Hermit whom you sée lie stone dead by this hedge here because he would only haue shewed him how he had done amisse to assaile me being thus wounded as I am O what tirannie of a knight is this quoth Pernedin then I sweare my faith to you were it not the respect of the amitie which I beare vnto Riâ—aâ—an who brought him into the court with him I should make him nowin a cursed hower to end his daies but I promise you I shall make knowne this treason before the Emperor and all his Barons assuring me hée procéeded still speaking in great choller to Lechefin you would neuer haue dared for your ears to haue set on him if he had ben vnwounded so that auoid from hence quickly otherwise I shal make you die a shameful death These words made Lechefin so ashamed that being mounted quickly vpoÌ„ Arnedes horse he went away with a flée in his eare without any word saying as him who knew he had done great wrong to his honour and that night he retired himselfe into a Nunnerie where by reason of the wounds which he had receiued of Arnedes hée found himselfe very il at ease of his person But when the Nunnes knew he followed the Emperours court they did him all the honour they could deuise and one of them who was learned and wel experienced in the art of Phisicke and Chirurgerie tooke charge to tend him carefully vntil his perfect recouerie and there she remained some daies with him before she could recouer him to his former health Pernedin was very sorrowfull and displeased much séeing the good Hermit slaine and the knight most dangerously hurt notwithstanding with the helpe of a Nouice who helped daily the old Hermit to masse he brought Arnedes into the Hermitage where they buried their dead corpes after they had wrapped vp the knights wounds whom Pernedin counselled because there was no meane to looke vnto him there to go faire and softly to Constantinople There quoth he you shall quickly recouer because you shall find Phisitions Chirurgions drugs and all other necessaries at hand which you cannot come by in this solitarie place As for me as yet I cannot resolue to returne although I haue hetherto ben neuer the néere in that which caused me to depart the cittie I shall repute it a great shame for me quoth Arnedes to goe to the Emperour in this taking neuerthelesse doe as you shall thinke best for I sée it out of my power and possibilitie euer to satisfie or recompence the infinite merit and good you haue now shewed towards me being in so great danger as you sée me at this present CHAP. XVIII How Pernedin conducted Arnedes to CoÌ„stantinople where he was forthwith visited by the Emperour and on the morrow after by the Empresse with the infants Philocrista and Melissa and how Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe and Amenada Philocristaes dwarfesse had much prattle together and what was the issue thereof AFter that Pernedin had conueighed Arnedes into the Hermitage hée ceased not to run about in all places néere hand to get people and al things necessarie to transport him easily to Constantinople for he could not endure the paine to sit on horsebacke Wherefore he caused a mourning béere to be made litter fashion and vsed so great diligence that within two daies after he got him to the court where when the Emperour had heard what was befortuned him he was highly displeased against the Moore Of a troth quoth he Lechefin cannot resemble any one better then the Souldan of Persia his father who was neuer other but a receptacle and harbour offellony and I cannot deuise who hath moued him to outrage so honest a prince as is this knight of France then presenly he went to visit him and gaue his Phisitions charge hée should be carefully looked vnto and beside prouided of whatsoeuer should be necessarie for his spéedy recouery Then began Arnedes the discourse of his encounter with Marcomyr vpon the end whereof the Emperour answered him I maruell greatly this knight sheweth so ardent a desire to doe me seruice and yet will conceale himselfe in this manner and flie from me Undoubtedly he goeth to trie himselfe in the aduenture of Celestina séeing he followeth the rout you tel me and it may be by his great Prowesse he will bring it to an end If so it bée God kéepe my nephew Belcarin out of his hands herein many of the assistants were of the same opinion and from thence forward was Lechefin estéemed of al for a coward and a fellon The Emperour returned into his chamber and would that the Empresse should goe on the morrow to visit Arnedes which she did with a right good will accompanied with Philocrista and Melissa to whom this mischiefe and iniurie done to the French knight greatly displeased and pierced them to the verie heart but to Philocrista most of al albeit she was frée from all sinister thought for the amitie which she alreadie bore him procéeded of no other cause but of the gentility and vertue which she saw shining most apparant in him and moreouer there was nothing in this world which she had in more singular recommendation then the kéeping of her own chastity both in thought and déed incontaminated You may well iudge whether Arnedes were glad or not séeing before his eies her whom he loued so ardently to bée sorrowfull for his hurt to blame Lechefin as a traitor and disloiall for the sole obiect of her countenance and the féeblenes of her spéech did sufficiently bewray what an alteration the heat of the fatall fire had alreadie wrought in her These foure discoursed a long time together meane while Amenada the dwarfesse of Philocrista Risdena her nephew came to Bruquel Arnedes dwarfe whom they saw strangely lamenting for the mischance and disaster befalne his maister Amenada comforted him as well as she
could telling him it was nothing the worst was past and none of the wounds found to be mortall how the Emperour had sent him excellent Phisitions and Chirurgeons who promised to set him quicklie on foot againe Were it Gods will quoth Bruquel it were so and that my maister might once find the meane to sup vp the Antidote which alone might corrupt and annihilate the so penetrating force of the swéet poison which was lately giuen him and then leauing this circumstance of words he fetcht a déepe sigh almost from the ground for hée had very short legs and would vse no more circumelocution but followed this point in this sort Ah my lord Arnedes how dearely doe you buy her beautie for whose sake you departed out of your countries Where the only reputation of your high estate and illustrious linage whence you are extracted did suffice to obtaine her without euer comming so fâ—rre to expose your selfe to so many perils dangers Amâ—nada maruelled much at these spéeches and presently had a curious desire to know who this knight might be Wherefore she praied Bruquel of all fauours to tell her to the end they might shew her ladie Philocrista who had an extreame desire to vnderstand of what race he was descended I will doe willingly for you all things I may quoth the dwarâ—e except this which without his commandement I dare not enterprise for I should doe that I am forbidden I will make you this promise to speake to him hereof and according to his wil and intention will I satisfie your desires Melissa also who desired with a singular affection to know who Recindos her louer was hauing séene these two Myrmidons prate together and vnderstanding some inkeling of their talke in passing by them so soone as they were retired into their chambers demaunded Amenada what were the matters debated betwéene her and Arnedes dwarfe Wherevpon the dwarfesse made her a long discourse whereof Philocrista was wonderous glad hoping thereby to vnderstand something of the French prince And as she heard say he was departed out of his house for the loue of a Damsel imagined this imediately meant by her selfe for it falleth out alwaies euery one best fauours himselfe in iudgements relying vpon bare coÌ„iectures for this cause she bid Amenada that she should cal vpon Bruquel to performe his promise The dwarfe as soone as he had opportunitie to speake vnto his maister made him vnderstand at length all which had past betwéene himselfe and the dwarfest of Philocrista whereat he was the gladdest man in the world and gaue him now a great charge to be carefull to bring this practise to a good end The next day when the Emperour and Diocles dined together Amenada went to take Bruquel in his lodging who séeing her come began thus to prattle aloud madam I haue giuen order for that I promised you the last night Notwithstanding before I can satisfie you in your desire I must craue one thing at your hands demaund hardly whatsoeuer you please quoth the dwarfesse for of nothing which is honest shall you of me be denied I haue then obtained of you replied Bruquel you shall not manifest to any liuing creature but to Madame Philocrista that which I am now about to tell you it is that for the loue of her only my deare lord and maister the first borne son of the king of France is departed from his house for the fame of her vnspeakeable beautie which hath alreadie pierced beyond those countries did on a day so cruelly wound his heart that forthwith he resolued to make a voiage into the leuant sea to sée whether such bruit did egall or surpasse the fame spread abroad of her And hauing afterward well beheld it he found nature had so cunningly embellished this perfect piece of worke that she hath taken away the power from any humane tongue were it neuer so eloquent and fluent to accomplish euer the entire praise of her desert by means whereof he hath written by a post sent of purpose to the king his father that he would send Embassadours hâ—ther to the end to conclude the articles of mariage with the Emperour to whom vntill he sée the commissioners of this embassage appeare he will not make himselfe knowne nor to any other person liuing but to her only And requireth her in the humblest manner he may she would vse with some little courtesie and benignitie the heart that she hath so secretly rauished from him and if in the meane time she wil employ his bodie in any other then familiar and domesticall affaires it would please her to send backe his heart with some comfort accepting the offer which it hath now lately made her so shall he repute himselfe the most happie and fortunate champion that euer entered battell in the seruice of any ladie moreouer should find himself quicklie recouered and healed of all his wounds otherwise should not be able to liue foure twentie howers in this world which were a way to purchase the death of infinit others besides his especially that of Recindos his cousin sonne of the king of Castile who louing him as himselfe would néeds beare him companie in this voiage and be partaker of the same trauels and diseases he endured for the great amitie and néere parentage betwéene them So cunningly could this Pigme file his language to second his maisters intention that it reaped that fruit to these two yong princes as hereafter you shall heare which might well be compared in loiall and perfect amitie to the two pithagorean companions Orestes and Pilades or to Nisus and Eurialus who would die the one for the other Greatly wondred Amenada hearing him tell how so high and illustrious a prince had thrust himselfe into so many trauels and dangers for the accomplishment of this mariage which he might haue effected by his agents emploied therein Then she made this answere Assuredly if I had not promised to tell my ladie and mistresse this I should not dare for any thing in the world aduenture my selfe to discouer or manifest so great matters as these for I should neuer be able to shew her the one halfe but Melissa who neuer stirreth farre from her would vnderstand or presume something It skilleth not for Melissa quoth the dwarfe I care not if it were done in her presence for I estéeme her so modeste and sage a princesse that she will shew her selfe rather silent to disclose it then inconsiderate and giddie headed to reueale it to any and I assure my selfe she will but take all the matter in good part This spake he to the end she should be an act or in the comedie for the loue of Recindos and if peraduenture Philocrista were slacke and backward in her loues she might counsell her not to refuse this good fortune offered her breifely they should reciprocally take aduise the one of the other as hauing both their hearts pierced with one dart for it falleth out many times two
thoughts afflicted with like martyrdome receiue mutually more comfort then being with others who féele not the like torment Bruquel hauing so well done his deuoire for the winning of Philocrista to his maisters bow returned incontinent to him whom he found attending in great deuotion to vnderstand the euent of this amourous stratageme After the dwarfe had recounted from point to point all his busines Arnedes was so rauished with an vnspeakeable gladnes that he thought himselfe the most happiest man in the world to haue met with so fine and ingenious a Truchemant On the other side Amenada wheÌ„ she espied her fittest opportunitie interpreted so well and faithfully the intention of Arnedes and of his dwarfe to her ladie Philocrista that she remained a prettie while exacticke and her tongue could not speake one word so much perplexed and distraâ—â—ed was her spirit with varietie of a thousand new thoughts And albeit the knight had alwaies greatly liked her and ben pleasing to her eie as well in his beautie and good grace as by his prowesse and chiualrie and now freshly this suddaine ioy vnlooked for had pierced her heart to the quick she resolued neuerthelesse to make him answer and to demeane her selfe wisely herein by this meane to preuent a future inconuenience which might otherwise haue ensued For séeing her louer in so euill estate of health she feared to put him in greater danger in giuing him a seuere and rigorous answer for this cause she saith to the dwarfesse It displeaseth mée thou didst not promise Bruquel to tell me this tale but séeing the effect is ensued now we cannot alter it Thou shalt then goe to Arnedes to tel him from me how I meruaile much he hath enhazarded himselfe to so many perils for my sake wherein I hold my selfe much beholding to him and thanke him for it humbly with al my power promising him for guerdon of his paine and irkesome trauels which hée hath endured to accept him willingly for my loiall spouse if the Emperour my father and the Empresse my mother will consent vpon this condition notwithstanding that he neuer aduenture to speake the least word in the world to me thereof but let it suffice him only therein to know my will And to the end I be assured of the vehement and excessiue loue which as he saith â—e beareth me pray him from me he take this newes in stéed of the most soueraigne balme or of some perfect cataplasme which may the sooner knit vp his wounds and hasten his recouerie and health hoping to goe sée him to morrow morning if I may possible by any meane After Philocrista had instructed Amenada in her message she tooke Melissa to her aside to whom for that they loued mutually with a sincere and affectionat heart Philocrista discouereth this aumourous affaire making her a discourse thereof from the very beginning Wherof Meliâ—â—â— was meruellous well apaid specially hearing that Recindos came of so noble and roiall a blood as was that of Castile The dwarfesse séeing her time fit and conuenient to acquite her selfe of the charge her ladie and mistresse had committed vnto her went to doe her message not missing a word thereof to the French prince vnto whom she did deliuer it as wisely as Philocrista had laid it downe in words vnto her By meanes whereof the knight entred into so extream ioy that within few daies after he left his bed and got vp on his legs againe but before she departed from Arnedes chamber he entreated her of all fauour she would carrie to her mistres a French sonnet which he had for her loue composed the same day praying her to commaund the maister of the Emperours chappel to set a descant according to his art of musicke to these French verses which did say thus As is the purest gold by touchstone tride And as the adamant draweth to his side The heauy yron if placed neere it bee The like we may of mutuall louers see Sweet louing ladie well you may behold That I am touch and you are perfect gold You adamant I yron draw vnto you And that you may this vertue better view But thinke faire ladie on the amourous end You draw me to your heart I proue my friend After Amenada had read this sonnet the answered the French prince she knew not whether her mistresse would be pleased with her enterprising so presumptuous a message yet although she were a little discontented she would counterfeit the pageant so well that euerie one should in the end be glad thereof as it happened out for she went her way to the princesse Phlocrista to whom making many discourses of the extreame loue Arnedes bore her she put her into more comfort with that sonnet then if she had ben made quéene of all Asia But on the morrow the Empresse went to visit Arnedes taking with her Philocrista so faire and so richly attired to make him vnderstand her gladnes and content which redoubled the ioy that the knight had in his heart conceaued the day before Then after the visitation of the Empresse she blushing asked him how he felt himselfe in his wounds Madame quoth he thanks be to God and to you I find my selfe in good case that were it not the inhibition of the Phisitions whereby I am constrained I would rise now presently out of my bed to walke abroad Philocrista knew right well to what end tended these spéeches therefore a liuely blush of her countenance graced farre more her face then it did before whereat Arnedes who iudged rightly the passion whence procéeded this change of coulour reputing himselfe the happiest of the vassals of Cupid the great Monarke beheld her so stedfastly and with so glancing and amourous eie that he thought himselfe placed in the highest stage of wordly blisse felicity But Philocrista durst not looke vpon him to the end not to bewray the euidence of her passion neuerthelesse shée attended in good hope the French Embassadours arriual to make an end of her dissembling which Arnedes desired in his heart as much as she for not to displease infringe the commandement of his ladie he saw that to be the only remedie of his tedious afflictions wherein he was stil enwrapped till the king his father sent some of his péeres to Constantinople to procure his greatest ioy the true recouery of his health so there will we leaue the to come to Rifaran who is far trauelled in the quest of Marcomyr CHAP. XIX How Rifaran after he had put himself inquest of Marcomyr passed before a castle which appertained to the countesse of Iseland for whom he combated a brother of her husbands and fiue other knights who besieged the same and how the countesse entertained him very courteously into her castle where he fell in loue with her at the same instant IT gréeued greatly Rifaran to haue made eight or nine daies iourney without hearing any news of the knight whom he sought and as he perceiued his trauell was
I may haue no griefe to forsake this world but that only she may haue some coÌ„passion to sée breathlesse the seruant more deuoted to her seruice then any other whom she may find in these lower regions when she should séeke from Boreas to Auster and from the Indians to the Moores So he held his peace when Diocles and those who did accompanie him demanded of him the occasion of his so suddaine trance whom he answered not a word he felt himself so perplexed and confounded in his thoughts as no lesse was Philocrista for her part knowing her selfe the principall cause of his maladie with which he had quickly finished his life had hée not had spéedie remedie as you shall heare by and by CHAP. XXXI How the Embassadors of France arriued at Constantinople where they were honourably receiued by the Emperour who hauing vnderstood the effect of their embassage and therevpon conferred with the prince Arnedes immediatly affianced to him his daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Embassadors presented him their kings letter of commission THe post which Arnedes had dispatcht from Constantinople into France made such expedition that within few daies he arriued in the famous cittie of Paris where the king vnderstanding the will of his sonne resolued soone vpon the conclusion of this busines and did chuse out incontinent for the chiefe of this embassage the duke of Orleans a very sage prudent Siegnior commaunding the Marques of Oliuet and the Countie Peter one of the best knights of his court should accompanie him and many other Barons of Marke so braue and richly suted in their habilliments that they shewed euidently how much the French excéed all other nations in magnificence and many other good parts which now we will not speake of being besides our purpose The king hauing deliuered them their letters of commission instructions in the state of their embassage sent them away with many attires pretious gifts which he sent to Philocrista to the prince Arnedes but before they were departed there arriued in his court a knight who came froÌ„ the court of the Castilian king to aduertise Recindos how his brother being departed without issue al the people did much reioice that the scepter of such a kingdome fel into the hands of so valiant a prince as he When the king of France vnderstood this newes by the Spanish gentlemaÌ„ named Pinedes he answered him that Recindoâ— was gone with Arnedes his sonne into Constantinople where as he had since heard they won daily great honor renowne this was cause that Pinedes purposed to passe ouer into Gréece with his Embassadors for the same occasion they went to TollaÌ„ in Prouince to embarke themselues in the Mediteranean sea where sailing with a prosperous wind they arriued at ConstaÌ„tinople almost at the same time that Arnedes fel into the same trance you read of before Being come within the hauen two little Frigates which went alwaies before the vessell of the Embassadors were the first who cast ankers there and soone after by coÌ„mandment of the duke of Orleans began those within boord tokens of ioy to render thanks to God for their fortunate nauigation Whereof the Emperor being aduertised sent incontinent to sée what might those actions of ioy meane And vnderstanding they were the Embassadors of France he felt a great gladnes in himself hoping Arnedes might recouer some amendment by the report of this news So y t he coÌ„maÌ„ded they should forthwith let him know therof praying him to be of good chear séeing y e noblemeÌ„ of his couÌ„try were ariued theÌ„ in those quarters We néed not ask whether Arnedes found himself any thing eased at these tidings séeing the sodain recouerie he had in a moment by that meane skewed well therein did consist the true Phisicke of his griefe the which he left the same hower behind him in his bed to goe with Diocles towards the Emperor who séeing him come so lustie was a glad man of his amendment when he said vnto him siegnior Arnedes it seemeth to me the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath made you strong and to recouer of your maladie You say true my lord quoth hée it is that which is mine onely restoritie and sole remedie Philocrista who knew full well the meaning of Arnedes affectionate desire was not glad a little of this occurrance so that to behold her in face and countenance one might plainely haue read in her heart and soone knowne whence this her gladnesse procéeded wherein she secretly declared to the French prince that which his tongue durst not manifest alowd a thing wherein he néeded no interpreter but thanking her with like signes went strait from thence toward the hauen to sée vnto which of his seruants the king his father had committed this legation The Emperor sent with him many of his barons to the end to accoÌ„pany the embassadors to his pallace for the greater honor of whoÌ„ Diocles himself would néeds go with Arnedes who sent his dwarf before to aduertise theÌ„ of his coÌ„ming towards y e port for this cause y e duke of OrleaÌ„s his other two coÌ„mpanioÌ„s came quickly aland in one of y e two seigats wher seeing y e prince first of all ran vnto him bareheaded to kisse his haÌ„ds in y e which doing he imbraced theÌ„ then said to y e duke of Orleans Ah my sweet cousin how many pleasures doth your arriuall in this cittie bring me Surely many more then you may thinke but tell me I pray you without passing farther how doth my lord the king my father My lord the ioifullest man in the world answered the Duke and as he who hath an extreame desire to sée you ere long sendeth you word that soâ—orning as little as possibly you may in these parts you would take your iorney quickly to returne into your good countrie of France Therein will I obey him willingly replied Arnedes before any long time passe after this day in the meane time doe your honor vnto Diocles the emperors son who of his grace would néeds take the paine to come so far as hether to receiue and entertaine you TheÌ„ Diocles maruelling all these knights and French Nobles did so much honor and reuerence to the prince Arnedes imagined presently he must néeds be their kings son And in regard therof vsing many amiable spéeches to the duke of Orlians and the other Embassadors he praid them very gratiously to aduertise him of Arnedes busines who vntill that hower would neuer manifest himselfe to any bodie My lord answered the Duke he is our prince and soueraigne siegnior who through the ardent desire which hée had to offer his seruice to the Emperor your father determined to come vnknowne into this court and to remaine here dissembling his person till he might sée the things designed by him to come to so good issue as he desired wherin I hope according to the embassage which the king his father hath committed to our charge
to set some good and happie end with the helpe of him whom I pray to send vs so good successe that we be not therein made frustrate of our attempt In good faith quoth Diocles turning himselfe towards the French prince I haue great cause to complaine of you Arnedes who haue hid your self so long time from me for although you had resolued in comming hether not to discouer your selfe to any person me thinketh you should not comprise me in the vniuersal number considering the familiar acquaintance betwéene vs two albeit I was ignorant of the splendor and nobilitie of your heroicall race My good lord replied Arnedes embracing him I pray you excuse me herein for so much as that which hath brought me hether so farre distant from the French court to do some exploites of armes which might honor my linage before it were by me manifested hath incited nay rather constrained me to conceale my selfe the more considering I could not surge at the port of my desire not employing my selfe in that which did not still redound rather to my dishonor then commendation Assuredly quoth Dioâ—les then if by your laudable and valerous feats of arms you desire to publish your name it séemeth to me that the very day of the Iousts you should not haue deferred to giue so faire a lustre declaring your roiall descent to the prowesse and incomparable valor you shewed there There Arnedes interrupted him said Ah? My lord it is of your grace that it pleaseth you to place me in the number of those who did there well their endeuors although I déeme not my self worthie to second the least of the great troupe which was present there neuerthelesse if good will not to suffer an illustrious and generous heart to abase it selfe hath sometime power to encrease a mans forces I thinke my selfe was none of the féeblest in all the companie No indéed answered Diocles but of the strongest as euery one knoweth witnesse the honor of the victorie which serued you then in stéed of a triumphant crowne but I pray you let vs surâ—ease these things to an other time and we wil go find the Emperor who shall be a most ioifull man of these tidings Then they mounted on horsebacke with the Embassadors who came all to alight before the pallace where there was good lodging appointed them by command of the Emperor and in the meane time Pinedes gaue the prince Arnedes to vnderstand how he past thorow Fraunce â— thinking to find Recindos there to whom he came to bring the newes of his brothers death and how all the Barons and the common people of Castilia did most willingly accept him for their liege soueraign after the decease of the king his father Of this newes was the Frenchman very glad on the one side séeing his cousin Recindos whom he loued as himselfe inheritor of the scepter of Castilia but very sorrie because he heard no newes of him Neuerthelesse assuring Arnedes that he did hope shortly for his returne put him out of fantasie of going any further to séeke for him for that quoth he very hardly will he faile to bée at the tourney held at my mariage the which I haue purposed to publishe thorowout all the marches and frontiers bounding this empire of Gréece But the Emperor who had knowledge before of some that made hast before him to the court concerning the busines of prince Arnedes when he saw him enter into the presence with his son Diocles he rose vp from his state to embrace him saying What meanes this siegnior Arnedes you would so cunningly dissemble your state with vs we could neuer perceiue your cariage therein procuring vs thereby to commit a great discourtesie in not honoring you according to your merit Tel me I pray you wherfore did you conceale your self to me very wel knowing how happie I should haue déemed my selfe to know you without any fiction of your person Gratious lord replied Arnedes I beséech you in all humility not to vse these spéeches vnto me for I acknowledge not my selfe worthie thereof and lesse of the honor which I haue receiued in your countries assuredly farre surmounting that little which I know I haue merited assuring you my spirit had neuer taken rest before I had come to see the magnificence of your court to doe you my best seruice according to my power which is but small Small indéed in respect of the good will which surpasseth that of the best affectionate seruants which you haue in whose number I beséech you to account me the very first as him who by deuotion and sinceritie of heart none liuing can goe before in this behalfe Wherein I find my selfe greatly disfauored of the heauen â—or none occasion hath as yet ben offered to shew it you in that sort as I haue liuely imprinted it in my thoughts It sufficeth then quoth the Emperor againe of that which you haue done alreadie being proofe of a truth very sufficient to raise you to this reputation of one of the best and most perfect knights of this our age and as for me if I be not shent for this fauor considering the amitie I beare you I shall be alwaies the formost in this opinion wherein I do not thinke my selfe much ouerséene as I should repute my self very happy to purchase you for my son in law when you would giue therevnto your consent Arnedes who saw the passage opened by which he hoped to conduct his soule into rest and by none other but by him who had the true key thereof felt himselfe almost rauished with ioy whentaking the Emperor by the hand to kisse it in signe of thanks went on thus wel may I now vaunt my selfe to attaine the perfect fruition of al worldly blisse séeing I am by you offered so honorable alliance for which I cannot returne you so many thankes to acquite my self therby of the obligation wherin I am yours bounden but I shall find my selfe still more and more beholding to you in a new bond which shall bind me in performing this kindnes Neuertheles if the extreame affection I haue to continue for euer your obedient seruant and humble sonne if it séeme good vnto you may by any meane serue you in stéed of an earnest I beséech you accept it such as I can present you to the end hereafter you may vse me as your right hand and as your left as readily as your two eies at the only thought of your spirit For euen as the thunder crack following the lightening which goeth before it striketh more suddainely then any thing els his blow where he hitteth far more prompt shal I be at the only coniectures which I shall gather of your desires to satisfie you therin without attending to be commanded therevnto The Emperor meruellous ioifull to heare him profer these honest speeches knew very well with what arrow he was wounded and that which moued him to come and seeke in his court the balme and perfect cure